Fibreboard bottle carrier having partition members



Dec. 2, 1947. M. G. HALL 2,431,932

FIBREBOARD BOTTLE CARRIERHAVING PARTITION MEMBERS Filed March '7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. G. HALL 2,431,932

FIBREBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER HAVING PARTITION MEMBERS Dec. 2, 1947.

Filed March '7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVE /V 7 0A7 M VA/PD G. HAMA M. G. HALL Dec. 2, 1947.

FIBREBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER HAVING PARTITION MEMBERS Filed Harsh '7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 MWA/HRD 6. fwn. L.

ffaRA/Ers Dec. 2, 1947. M. G. HALL 2,431,932

FIBREBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER HAVING PARTITION MEMBERS Filed March 7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 //V VEN TGR My/v RD 6. HAM z.

Patented Dec. 2, 1947 FIBREBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER HAVING PARTITION MEMBERS Maynard G. Hall, Rutherford, N. J., assigner, by

mesne assignments, to Empire Box Corporation, Garfield, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application March '1, 1945, Serial No. 581,512

6 Claims. l

This invention relates to cartons and particularly to those adapted for the storage and transportation of bottles or the like and which are commonly known as bottle carriers.

Cartons which have been arranged heretofore to serve as bottle carriers have customarily included parts which have been cut and folded to serve as separators between the bottles or the like stored therein and such parts, in comparison with the particular bottles or the like stored in the cartons, have been of relatively restricted size so that at best such parts have served as spacers between but limited portions of adjacent bottles arranged in the cartons or carriers. It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to so arrange a carton or carrier of the aforesaid character that adjacent bottles or the like will be effectively separated one from the other by portions of the carrier that are coextensive with at least substantial portions of the bottles or the like arranged in the carton or carrier, and objects ancillary to the foregoing are to so arrange a carton of the aforesaid character that individual cells are afforded for the bottles or the like that are to be packaged therein; to afford partitions which, in cooperation with the walls of the carrier, define substantially completely surrounded areas into which bottles or the like may be respectively disposed to be contained therein; and to so arrange portions adapted to serve as separators that such portions will be effectively retained against displacement particularly in the assembled and loaded carton.

Cartons of the character utilized as bottle carriers customarily include a bottom wall portion on which the Weight of the bottles or the like loaded in the carton is impressed and such cartons also include what has been referred to as a handle section or portion which in one way or another is adapted to be grasped to enable transportation of the loaded carton, and heretofore the weight impressed on the bottom wall of a loaded carton has been indirectly transmitted to the handle portion, but so to do has not always proven to be satisfactory for the reason that the weight impressed on the bottom of the carton has been impressed on the handle portion through parts of the carrier which were relatively weak by reason of structural characteristics of the carton and sometimes such parts have broken with the result that the cartons have failed to properly .perform their intended function.

Hence, yet other important objects of this invention are to so arrange a carton or carrier of the aforesaid character that the weight impressed on the bottom wall thereof will be transmitted directly to the portion by which the carton is lifted when the loaded carton is to be transported; to relate the side and bottom walls` and an intermediate section or partition joined directly to the bottom wall in a carton of the aforesaid character in such a way that these elements are afforded by a continuous section of the material from which the carton is formed; to provide a continuous partition in a carton of the aforesaid character that will serve as a separator between substantial portions of articles arranged on opposite sides thereof and which will serve as an element through which the loaded carton or carrier may be lifted; to provide a partition in a carton of the aforesaid character intermediate the side walls thereof which may be projected above such side walls in such an amount as to be so related to the height of articles to be packaged Within the carton as to enable one loaded carton to be stacked directly upon the other without interference with such partition; to utilize portions of -a carton of the aforesaid character, that are effective to separate adjacent articles loaded in the carton one from the other, to retain a centrally located partition in the carton in such centrally located position; and to interlock a centrally located partition in a. carton of the aforesaid character with separating portions afforded therein and thereby securely retain the carton in erected position; and to so arrange portions of a carton of the aforesaid character that serve as interlocking and retaining means that articles loaded in the carton or carrier will be eifective to retain such portions against displacement.

Yet other objects of this invention arc to afford a medially located and longitudinally extending dividing partition in a carton of the aforesaid character and also to afford transversely extending dividing partitions in such a carton and to so relate such partitions as to dene a plurality of cells or pockets in winch articles to be carried in the carton may be disposed; to interlock the transversely extending partitions with the longitudinally extending partitions in a carton of the aforesaid character and thereby retain the partitions in predetermined relation one with the other; to afford portions on the transversely extending partitions on which articles disposed within the carton may be arranged so as to thereby transmit at least a part of the weight of such articles directly to the longtiudinally extending partition through the transversely extending partitions; to rest articles loaded within the carton on portions of the transversely extending partitions and thereby insure that such partitions will be retained in interlocked relation with the longitudinally extending partition in the carton; and to provide a novel carton or carrier of the aforesaid character that may be formed from a. single blank and which may be arranged to be shipped in a. at collapsed condition and yet be expeditiously erected to receive articles to be packaged therein.

Further objects are to afford a substantially centrally located portion in a carton of the aforesaid character that is directly connected to the bottom thereof and which may be lifted when the loaded carton is to be transported; to so arrange' such a portion that it may be constructed to have a detachable handle connected thereto or to of itself afford a handle portion for the carton; to utilize a detachable handle of such nature that it may be detached from one carton of the character to which this invention pertains and thereafter be attached to another such carton; and to so arrange the portion of the aforesaid character, when constructed to afford a handle portion, that a hand opening is included therein and also so that such portion may be disposed in such a way as not to interfere with the stacking of one loaded carton upon another.

Other and further objects of the present lnvention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments and the principle thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principle may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a blank from which a novel carton embodying the present invention may be assembled:

Fig. 1A is a side elevation of the carton erected from the blank shown in Fig. 1 equipped with a detachable handle to facilitate transportation thereof and showing the manner in which bottles are loaded therein;

Fig. 1B is a fragmentary end elevation of the carton as depicted in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, in which certain parts are broken away, of the carton formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1 assembled in collapsed at condition for shipment;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the flat condition thereof shown in Fig. 2 and arranged to have bottles loaded thereinto;

Fig. 4'is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line-4 4 on Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken substantially and respectively on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 on Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of another blank from which another form of my novel carton may be assembled;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of an erected carton formed from the blank shown in Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9--9 on Fig. 8.

The novel carton of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the accompanying drawings is formed from a blank of cardboard or like material which, as shown in Fig. 1, is cut and scored to define the various elements of the carton.

As shown in Fig. 1, the blank is substantially rectangular in outline and has a fold or score line I0 formed therein in spaced apart but parallel relation with one of the longer edges thereof, which longer edge is desirably cut so as to be straight except for one end portion thereof, as will be explained presently. The fold or score line I0, in cooperation with other fold or score lines and the aforesaid straight edge of the blank, defines the side and end walls of my novel carton.

Thus, inwardly of one of the shorter edges of the blank as shown in Fig. 1 a score or fold line I I is formed in the blank to extend from the aforesaid straight edge to the fold or score line III, and score lines I2 and I3 are formed in the blank `.on each side of the fold or score line I I in parallel relation therewith whereby a section I4 is defined in the blank which serves as one of the corner portions of my novel carton. An end wall I 5 is defined in the blank by the aforesaid shorter edge of the carton and the fold or score lines I0 and I2 and the straight edge of the blank. A fold or score line I6 extends across the end wall I5 medially thereof from the aforesaid straight edge to the fold or score line I0 and in parallel relation with the score line I2 for a purpose explained hereinafter.

Another set of parallel but spaced apart fold or score lines I1, I8 and Ill extend between the aforesaid straight edge of the blank and the fold or score line IU and dene a corner portion 20. One of the side walls 2| of my novel carton is defined in the blank by the score lines I3, I0 and I8 and the aforesaid straight edge of the blank.

Still another set of parallel but spaced apart fold or score lines 22, 23 and 24 are formed in the blank to extend between the aforesaid straight edge of the blank and the fold or score line I0, this set of score lines being arranged in spaced relation with the set of fold or score linesl I1, I8 and I9 whereby another end wall 25 is dened in the blank by the score lines I9, I0 and 23 and the straight edge of the blank. The score lines 22, 23 and 24 dene a corner portion 26 for the carton. A fold or score line 21, corresponding to the fold or score line I6, extends medially across the end wall 25 midway between and parallel with the fold or score lines I9 and 23.

Other parallel and adjacent fold or score lines 28, 29 and 30 extend between the aforesaid straight edge of the carton and a portion of the blank aligned with the fold or score line I0 and this set of score lines 28, 29 and 30 are disposed near the end of the blank opposite that whereat the end wall I5 is defined. The set of score lines 28, 29 and 30 define a corner portion 3I in the blank and the score lines 24, I0 and 29 with the aforesaid straight edge define the side wall 32 in the blank. The score line 3IJ lies in alignment with the normal rectangular outline of the blank of my novel carton or carrier and serves to join a glue flap 33 to the blank, the shorter edges of this glue flap being chamfered for a purpose explained hereinafter and it is one of these chamfered edges that interrupts the extent of the aforesaid straight edge of -the blank.

Another fold or score line 34 extends across the blank in parallel but spaced apart relation with the fold or score line I0, and this fold or score line in part denes the bottom wall sections of my novel carton in the blank and also portions adapted to rest upon the bottom wall sections, as will be described hereinafter. Thus in lalignment with the corner portions I4 and 20, openings 35 and 36 are cut in the blank, the portions 31 and 36 of the margins of the openings 35 and` 36 respectively algned with the corner portions I4 and 20 being of rounded configuration to enable the corner portions I4 and 20 to be fitted thereabout in the assembled carton, as will be explained hereinafter. The marginal edge portions of the openings 35 and 36 adjacent the rounded portions 31 and 38, in cooperation with the fold or score lines i6 and 34, define a bottom section 39 in the blank.

Yet another opening 46 is afforded in the blank and the marginal edge of this opening 40 aligned with the corner portion 26 is rounded as indicated at 4I to enable the corner portion 26 to be fitted thereabout in the erected carton. The marginal edge of the opening 40 extended beyond the rounded portion 4| in cooperation with the score lines lil and 34 and the adjacent free edge of the blank define a bottom section 42 in the blank. The marginal edge of the blank above the corner portion 3| is cut away to afford a rounded edge 43 to enable the corner portion 3l to be fitted thereabout in the erected carton as is also explained hereinafter.

The portion of the blank lying between the fold or score lines lil and 34 and in alignment with the end wall 25 and which also lies between inar- -ginal edges of the openings 36 and 40 affords what will be referred to hereinafter as a supporting section 44 which is joined to what will be referred to hereinafter as au transverse interlocking partition 45 by the fold line 34. By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the marginal edges of the openings 36 and 46 defining the side edges of the portion 44 are inclined toward each other to facilitate disposition of the portion 44 upon the bottom wall section 42- in the erected carton, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The marginal edge 46 of the opening 35 opposite the marginal edge thereof defining an end of the bottom wall section 39 is inclined away from the bottom wall section 39. Furthermore, a recess 41 is cut in the shorter edge of the blank immediately above the end Wall section l5, this recess affording clearance for the glue flap 33 in the assembled carton as will be explained herein` after. The inner edge of the recess 41 in connection with the fold or score lines l and 34 and the marginal edge 46 defines a supporting section 48 which is aligned with and joined to the end wall section i along the fold or score line lil. Still further a transverse interlocking partition 49 is connected to the section 43 through the score line 34.

The blank is slit as indicated at 50 substantially in alignment with the fold or score line l0, this slit 56 extending from one end of the opening 35 to the edge opposite of the blank opposite the aforesaid straight edge thereof. The slit 50, the score line 34, the adjacent free end edge of the blank and the aforesaid opposite edge of the blank define the partition 49. Yet another slit 5i extends from the opening 36 to the aforesaid opposite edge of the blank in alignment, with the fold or score line i9. The slits 50 and 5i in cooperation with the fold or score line 34 and the aforesaid opposite edge of the blank define a longitudinally extending center partition 52 in the blank. The slit 50 separates the partition 49 from the partition 52.

Still another slit 53 extends from the opening 46 to the aforesaid opposite edge of the blank and this slit in cooperation with the adjacent shorter 6 edge of the blank and the fold or score line 34 defines a longitudinally extending center partition 64, the slit 53 separating the partitions 45 and 54 one from the other. The aforesaid partition 45 is defined in the blank by the slits 5I and 53, the score line 34 and the aforesaid opposite edge of the blank.

Anear 55 is afforded in the blank medially and outwardly of the partition 52 and a similar ear 56 is afforded in the blank medially and outwardly of the partition 54. Notches 56 and 51 are formed in the aforesaid opposite edges of the blank in alignment with the end portions of the ear 55, and similar notches 58 and 59 are similarly associated with the ear 56. Moreover. the corners of the partition 52 adjacent the slits 50 and 5l at the free edges of this partition are chamfered as are corresponding corner portions of the partition 54.

A relatively wide slot 60 extends across the section 46 from the fold or score line I6 in alignment with the fold or score line I6, and this slot extends part way across the partition 49 and terminates in a restricted recess 6i. Likewise a relatively wide slot 62 extends across the section 44 from the fold or score line I0 in alignment with the fold or score line 21 and this slot extends part way across the partition 45 and terminates in a restricted recess 63. A fold or score line 64 extends from the end of the recess 6| to the adjacent edge of the blank in alignment with the fold or score line I6, and a fold or score line 65 extends from the recess 63 to the adjacent edge of lle blank in alignment with the fold or score line The carton that may be formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1 is of such nature that a handle may be detachably connected thereto and to this end openings 66 and 61 are formed in the ear 55 in spaced apart relation and openings 68 and 69 are formed in the ear 56 in spaced apart relation, the arrangement being such that when the ears 55 and 56 are brought together in the course o'f assembling the carton, the openings 66 and 63 will be aligned one with the other as also will be the openings 61 and 66. The handle that is to be secured in such aligned openings and the manner in which such handle is connected thereto is described hereinafter.

In assembling the novel carton of this invention from the blank shown in Fig. 1, the blank is advantageously arranged to have the face thereof opposite that shown in Fig, 1 disposed upwardly and when so disposed the blank is first folded along the fold or score line l 0 to dispose the supporting section 48 in engagement with the face of the end wall I5 opposite that shown in Fig. 1. The blank is also folded along the fold or score line Il) to dispose the bottom section 33 in engagement with the face of the side wall section 2| opposite that shown in Fig. 1. Yet further, the blank is folded along the fold or score line I6 to dispose the supporting section 44 in engagement with the face of the end Wall 25 opposite that shown in Fig. 1, and the blank is still further folded along the fold or score line l0 to dispose the bottom wall section 42 in engagement with the face of the side wall 32 opposite that shown in Fig. 1.

With the parts so arranged, the blank is next folded along the fold or score lines 21 and 65 so as to thereby bring the faces of the bottom wall sections 39 and 42 shown in Fig. 1 into engagement one with the other. Such folding of 4the blank along the lines 21 and 65 also dispose the face of the center partition 52 shown in Fig. 1

in engagement with the face of the center partition 54 shown in Fig. 1, and at this same time the face of lthe ear 55 shown in Fig. 1 is engaged with the face of the ear 56 shown in this view. The faces of the center partitions and ears that are engaged as aforesaid are adhesively or otherwise united one with the other. At this time the face of the glue flap 33 opposite that shown in Fig. 1 ls engaged with the face of the support section 48 shown in Fig. 1 to overlie the marginal portion of this section adjacent to the marginal edge 46 of the opening 35. Thereafter the blank is folded along the fold or score lines I6 and 64 to thereby bring the marginal portion at the free end of the end wall |5, now exposed through the recess 41, into position to overlie the face of the glue flap 33 shown in Fig. 1, and this marginal portion and glue flap are then adhesively or otherwise suitably joined together.

When the foregoing folding and gluing opera,- tions have been completed the carton is assembled into the collapsed condition thereof shown in Fig. 2, which is to say, in fiat condition suitable for shipment. With the carton so arranged, the two sections of the end wall I5 on opposite sides of the score line |6 are folded toward each other` to be respectively disposed outwardly of the two parts of the support section 48 on opposite sides of the slot 60, such parts of the support section 48 being engaged one with the other. Yet further, the transverse partition 49 will have been folded on the score line 64 and through the restricted recess 6| and slot 60 to have the faces shown in Fig. 1 of the two sections thereof dened by the slot 60, recess 6| and score line 64 engaged one with the other, Likewise, the two faces of the end wall 25 opposite those shown in Fig. 1 will be folded into engagement with the faces of the two parts of the support section 44 opposite the faces thereof shown in Fig. 1, such parts being dened in this section by the slot 62. Yet further, the faces of the two sections of the transverse partition 45 opposite those shown in Fig. 1 will be engaged one with the other, such sections being defined in this partition by the slot` 62, recess 63 and score line 65. The recess 41 is at this time aligned with the united marginal portion of the end wall I 5 and the glue flap 33 to accommodate the resulting double thickness of material and thereby insure that the collapsed carton will lie fiat.

When the ears 55 and 56 are united as aforesaid, the opening 69 in the ear 56 is aligned with the opening 66 in the ear 55, and the opening 68 in the ear 56 is aligned with the opening 61 in the ear 55. These aligned openings respectively afford openings generally designated 10 and 1|, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, to which a suitable handle may be attached. One form of handle that may be connected to the carton through the openings 10 and 1| isshown in Figs. 1A and 1B. This handle H is formed of wire bent into substantially U-shaped form to have a substantially flat bight portion. Hook portions are provided at the free ends of the limbs of the handle and these portions are of such nature that they may be respectively passed through the openings 19 and 1| so that the portions of the ears 55 and 56 immediately above the openings 'I0 and 1I will be embraced in such hook portions as best shown in Fig. 1B. If desired, a wooden or other sleeve may be provided on the bight portion of the handle to facilitate grasping thereof. Moreover, it will be understood that resort may be had to other handle arrangements of such nature as to be capable of side relation one with the other.

being detachably connected to the carton or carriez` without departing from the ambit of my invention.

When the carton is assembled in the flat condition thereof shown in Fig. 2 it will have been folded along the aligned score lines I6 and 64 and 21 and 65, the slot 60 and the restricted recess 5I and the slot 62 and the restricted recess 63 also enabling the carton to be so folded. When 1t is desired to erect the carton from the collapsed shipping condition thereof shown in Fig. 2 to the erected condition thereof shown in Fig. 3, pressure is applied to the ears 55 and 56 to thereby force the connected center partitions 52 and 54 downwardly, and in so doing the carton pivots along the score line 34 between the bottom section 39 and the center partition 52 and between the bottom section 42 and the center partition 54 so as to thereby bring the bottom sections 39 and 42 into at least substantially parallel and side by Moreover when the pressure is so applied to the center partitions the carton pivots on the score lines I6 and 21 to thereby bring the end Walls I5 and 21 into substantially right angular relationship with the side walls 2| and 32, and at this time the corner portion 4 fits around the rounded edge 31, the corner portion 20 fits around the rounded edge 38, the corner portion 26 ts around the rounded edge 4|, and the corner portion 3| fits around the rounded edge 43.

When the bottom sections 39 and 42 are brought into side by side and parallel relation as a result of pressure being applied to the interconnected center partitions and ears as aforesaid, the support section 48 and transverse partition 49 project upwardly at one end of the carton adjacent the end wall I5, and the support section 44 and transverse partition 45 project upwardly adjacent the end wall 25. Thereafter, to complete assembly of the carton and afford individual cells therein into which bottles or the like may be introduced, the support section 48 is folded along the fold or score line I0 and the transverse partition 49 is folded relative to the support sec-l tion 48 along the fold or score line 34, and in so doing the free edge of the center partition 52, 54 passes into the slot 69. Continued inward movement of the transverse partition 49 inwardly from the end wall I5 causes the restricted recess 6| to move into the notch 12 afforded by the now aligned notches 56 and 59 so that the faces of the center partitions 52, 54 opposite those shown in Fig. 1 are embraced between the edges of the restricted recess 6|. Moreover, the extent of the fold line 64, Fig. 1, is desirably equal to the extent of the edge 13 at the inner end of the notch 12 so that when the support section 48 rests on the inwardy disposed faces of the bottom wall sections 39 and 42, at which time the transverse partition 49 will be in right angular relation-ship with the now parallel bottom wall sections 39 and 44. the transverse partition 49 will also be in right angular relationship with the center partition 52, 54 with the fold or score line 64 engaging the edge 13. The side edges of the restricted recess 6| embrace the portion of the interconnected center partitions 52, 54 immediately below and aligned with the edge 13 and this frictional engagement insures retention of the transverse partition 49 in substantially parallel but spaced apart relation with the end wall l5 whereby two cells or pockets 14 and 15 are defined in the now substantially erected carrier, the cell 14 being surrounded by a part of the end wall I5, the corner portion 3|, part of the side wall 32, part of the transverse partition 49 and the adjacent end portion of the center partition 62, 54. The cell is defined by part of the end wall I5, the corner portion 4, part of the side wail 2|, part of the partition 49 and the adjacent end portion of the center partition 52, 54;

The support section 44 and the transverse partition 45 are also folded inwardly in the manner described hereinabove with reference to the support section 48 and transverse partition 49, the adjacent end portion of the center partition 52, 54 passing into the slot 62 and into the restricted recess 63. The marginal portions of the transverse partition 45 adjacent the fold or score line 65 pass into the notch 16. afforded by the now aligned notches 58 and 51, and the fo.d or score line 65 is arranged to be coextensive with the edge 11 of the notch 16. When the support section 44 is disposed on the bottom wall sections 39 and 42 the transverse partition 45 will be in right angular relationship with the sidewalls 2| and 32 and the center partition 52, 54. The edges of the recess 63 embrace the portion of the center Partition 52, 54 aligned with the edge 11 to thereby retain the transverse partition 45 and support section 44 in proper position in the erected carton. Such disposition of the transverse portion 45 defines cells or pockets 18 and 19 inf the erected carton. the cell 18 being surrounded by a part of the side wall 32, the corner portion 26, part of the end wal 25, the adiacent end portion of the center partition 52. 54 and the transverse partition 45. The cell 19 is defined by part of the transverse partition 45, part of the side wall 2|, the corner portion 20, part of the end wall 25 and the adjacent end portion of the center lpartition 52, 54.

The disposition of the score lines 64 and 65 respectively in adjacent and parallel relation with the edges 13 and 11 respectively arranges the partitions 45 and 49 in parallel but spaced apart relation one with the other, and these partitions in cooperation with the center partition 52, 54, and respective'y with the side walls 32 and 3|, define centrally located cells or pockets 88 and 8|. Thus six cells or pockets are afforded in the erected carrier and the vertical wall portions of these cells or pockets are such as to effectively surround bottles or the like introduced into the respective cells so as to retain such bottles or the like in the carton or carrier and also to prevent them from coming into contact one with the other.v

e Bottles as B, Fig. 1A, or the like respectively introduced into the cells 14 and 15 rest upon the support section 48 and bottles or the like respectivelv introduced into the cells or pockets 18 and 19 respectively rest on the support section 44 so 'that tre weight of such bottles or the like is impressed upon these support sections. 'Iherefore, bv reason of the interconnections of the transverse partitions 49 and 45 to thel support sections 48 and 44 respectively, the weight of the bottles rested on these support sections is effective to urge and retain the trarsverse partitions in such position that the score lines 64 and 65l therein respectively remain in engagement with the edges 13 and 11. Moreover. the weight of the bottles or the like introduced into rnv novel carton or carrier is effective to urge and maintain the 'nrt-tom sections 39 and 42 insuhstantially parallel and side by side relation and this further insures maintenance of the carton or carrier in its erected condition.

- desirably another blank is arranged along side of When a blank shown in Fig. 1 is cut from a sheet of material such as cardboard or the like the blank as sho-wn in Fig. 1, and the ears as 55 and 56 on such adjoining blank will be cut from the material lying outwardly of the transverse partitions 49 and 45 and between the ears 65 and 56 of the blank shown in Fig. l, this being known as nesting of the blanks and yet enabling economical utilization of material to be realized.

The embodiment of lrnv novel carton or carrier sho-wn in Figs. '1, 8 and 9 is quite' like that shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. However, this embodiment includes a unitary portion affording a handle and also includes a modified form of interlock between the transverse partitions and the center partition. Since in other respects than these the carton shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9 corresponds to that shown in Figs. 1 to 6. inclusive, the various elements ofthe carton or carrier shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9 which correspond to elements of the carton and carrier shown in Figs. l to 6 have a reference character applied thereto like that applied to the corresponding element as it appears in Figs.- 1 to 6, inclusive, except that in Figs. '1, 8 and 9 the sufilx "m is added to thefreference characters where these appear in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. v

Thus, to refer to-Fig. '1. it will be seen that instead of the blank including ears as 55 and 56, handle portions 85 and 86 are respectively provided as extensicns of the center partitions 52m and 54m. In the present instance these handle portions and 86 are substantially rectangular in outline except that the outwardly dis posed edges thereof are rounded.

An elongated hand opening 81 is formed in thev handle portion 86 midway between the side edges thereof wand adiacent to the outer free edge thereof; A similar hand opening 88 is similarly located in the handle portion 85. but in this instance nstead of the material of the handle portion being entirely cut away, the material that is severed to define the opening 88 is joined to the handle portion along a fold line 89 extended parallel with the outer free edge of the handle portion 85 to thereby afford a flap 90. In this respect in some instances it may be desirable to afford a nap corresponding to the nap 90 in association with the opening 81, and so to do is within the purview of my invention. i

A notch 9| extends inwardly from the adjacent free edge of the blank beneath one marginal side portion o f the handle portion 85 .and terminates in an enlarged recess 92 and a similar notch 93 extends inwardly from the adjacent free edge of the blank beneath the opposite side marginal portion of the handle portion 85 and terminates in an enlarged recess 94. Furthermore, a notch 95 extends inwardly from the adjacent free edge of the blank beneath one marginal portion of the handle portion 86 and terminates in an enlarged recess 96 and a similar notch 91 is similarly related to the opposite marginal portion of the handle portion and terminates in an enlarged recess 98.

Furthermore, instead of providing a restricted recess 6| in the transverse partition 49m. a slit been made are respectively designated and |02. The tab element |0| is defined by a fold line |03 that extends between slits |04 and |05 that extend inwardly from the apices of the substantially V-shaped notches |06 and |01 extended inwardly from the adjacent edge of the blank. The tab |0| also has a fold line 64m extended thereacross from the end of the slit 99 to the free end of the tab. Desirably the material of the blank is cut away inwardly from the adjacent free edge of the blank so as to foreshorten the tab |0| for a purpose to be explained presently. The tab |02 is formed similarly to the tab |0| and those elements of the tab |02 which correspond to elements referred to hereinabove with reference to the tab 0| have a reference character applied thereto that corresponds to that applied to corresponding elements of the tab |0| except that the suillx "x is added to these reference characters where they are associated with the tab |02 (except that the fold line corresponding to the fold line 65 is designated 65mm rather than 64mm). 1

The blenk shown in Fig. '1 is folded and elements thereof are interconnected in the same manner as that described hereinabove with reference to the blank shown in Fig. 1, and in this respect the fold lines 61m and 85mm function likev tl-e fold lines 64 and 65 and the slots 99 and |00 serve the same purpose as therestricted recesses 30 6| and 63. Once the blank shown in Fig. '1 has been folded and interconnected to assemble the carton into the fiat shipping condition-thereof corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2, the carton is in condition to be erected into the condition thereof shown in Fig. 8. In this respect it will be understood that in assembling a carton or carrier from the blank shown in Fig. I the faces of the handle portions 85 and 86 appearing in Fig. 7 are adhesivelv or otherwise united just as are the corresponding faces of the ears 55 and 56. Hence in erecting the carton formed from the blank shown in Fig. 'I pressure is applied to the united handle portions 85 and 88 in the same manner as that in which pressure is applied to the ears 55 and 56 as described hereinabove.

When the bottom sections 39m and 42m have been arranged in side by side and substantially parallel relation, the support section 48m and the transverse partition l49m will be extending upwardly at one end of the carton or carrier, and the support section m and the transverse partition 45m will be similarly disposed at the opposite end of the carton. Furthermore, when the handle portions 85 and 86 are united as hereinabove described, the slots 9| and 91 are aligned one with the other asare the slots 93 and 95 whereby a slot generally indicated by |08, Fig. 8,

is aorded by the united slots 9| and 91, and a.

slot generally indicated by |09, Fig. 8, is afforded by the united slots 93 ,and 95. Yet further, the vertically extending wall ||0 at the inner end of the slot |08 afforded by the vertically extending edges of the enlarged recesses 92 and 98 correspond in length to the length of the fold or score line 65mm and it is to this end that the tab element |0| is foreshortened as described.

Therefore, to complete erection of the carton or carrier the slot 60m is passed over the adjacent portions of the center partitions52m-54m and at this time the transverse partition 49m is folded on thescore line 34m. As the transverse partition 49m is moved inwardly, the marginal portion of the transverse partition 52m-54m adjacent the lower edge of the slot |08 passes .12 into the slit 99 and as these portions advance through this slit the tab |0| is folded along the score line |03 to facilitate the passage of the aforesaid marginal portions into the slit 99. When the transverse partition 49m attains the vertical position thereof, the tab |0| is folded back along the fold or score line |03 to thereby bring the fold or score line 64m`into engagement with the edge ||0 so that the portion of the tab 10 |0| adjacent the fold or score line 64m is received in the enlarged recess afforded by the aligned recesses 9| and 9.1, the passage of these portions into this enlarged recess being eil'ective to afford a vertical interlock between the center partition 52m-54m and the transverse partition 49m. The transverse partition 45m is similarly arranged in the position thereof shown in Fig. 8 and in so doing the tab |02 is folded along the fold or score line |03:r and the fold line 85mm zo is brought into association with the edge lil.

As has been stated hereinabove the carton that is thus erected from the blank shown in Fig. 'I corresponds to that erected from the blank shown in Fig. 1 and when bottles or other articles have been loaded into the individual cells or pockets afforded in the erected carton shown in Fig. 8, this carton may be lifted and transported by passing the fingers of the hand through the now aligned openings 81 and 88, and in so doing the flap 90 is passed through the opening 81 to have the face thereof shown in Fig. 1 engaged with the face of the marginal portion of the handle portion 81 opposite that shown in Fig. 1, such marginal portion being that portion of the handle portion 86 outwardly of the opening 81. Therefore, theflap 90 presents a smooth edge to the ngers passed through the aligned openings 81 and 88 to facilitate lifting and transporting of the loaded carton or carrier.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the carrier shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is quite like that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, and in this respect in many instances it will be advantageous to utilize an arrangement which affords the slots |01 and |08 in place of the notches 12 and 16, and so to do is within the purview of my invention. In order that this might be accomplished the blank illustrated in Fig. 7 would be arranged as there shown except in place of providing panels 85 and 86 these portions of this blank would be formed to provide ears corresponding tothe ears and 56.

Moreover, the arrangements provided on the transverse partitions 45m and 49m could well be 55 utilized onthe transverse partitions 45 and I9 for so to do in many instances would avoid objectionable flexing of the material of which these transverse partitions are made, which would avoid the likelihood of damage to these portions of the carrier during erection thereof. It will be particularly advantageous to resort to tabs as |0| and |02 on transverse partitions as 45 and 49 when resort is had to slots as 9|, 93, 95 and 91. Moreover, when ears corresponding to the ears 55 and 56 are provided in lieu of panels as 85 and 86, openings as 66 and 61 and 68 and 69 will be provided in such ears so as to enable the connection of a detachable handle as H to the carrier.

It will be manifest from the foregoing descrip- 70 tion that the novel carton or carrier of this invention may be economically formed from a single sheet of material and that it may be expeditiously assembled into at condition to facilitate shipment and storage thereof and yet may be expeditiously erected to have bottles or the like alarmas loaded thereinto. Furthermore, by reason of the interlocking relation hereinabove described that is established among the elements of the carton, once the carton has been erected and particularly after it has been loaded, it will be effectively retained in condition to efficiently protect bottles or the like loaded thereinto.

Hence the novel carton or carrier described hereinabove enables the hereinabove set forth and related objects of this invention to be realized. However, while I have illustrated and described selected embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are'capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and including, when erected, side, end and bottom walls and longitudinal and transverse partitions, said partitions being connected with the bottom and end walls, respectively, the longitudinal partition being disposed substantially midway between the side walls and being extended betweenv the end walls and having a notch formed in each end thereof, the transverse partitions each having a slot therein which terminates adjacent the topmarginal end portion i thereof and through which slots the longitudinal partition extends, the top marginal portions of the transverse partitions being disposed and retained in the notches of the longitudinal partition, whereby the partitions are maintained in their proper positions and divide the carrier into separate bottle receiving compartments.

2. A bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and including, when erected, side, end and bottom walls and longitudinal and transverse partitions, the longitudinal partition being connected to the side walls and being disposed substantially midway between these walls and extended between the end walls and having a notch formed in each end thereof, the transverse partitions each including a part connected to an end wall and extended across the bottom wall and an upstanding part, said parts of each transverse partition having a slot formed therein which terminates adjacent the top marginal end portion of the upstanding part of the partition, the longitudinal partition being extended through the slots in the transverse partitions, the top marginal portions of the transverse partitions being disposed and retained in the notches of the longitudinal partition, whereby the partitions are maintained in their proper positions and divide the carrier into 'separate bottle receiving compartments.

3. A bottle carrier formed from cardboardbr like material and including, when erected, side, end and bottom walls and longitudinal and transverse partitions, the longitudinal partition being connected to the side walls and being disposed substantially midway between these walls and extended between the end walls, said longitudinal partition having outwardly opening, downwardly inclined notches formed therein at the opposite ends thereof, the transverse partitions each including an intermediate part connected to an end wall and extended across the bottom wall and an upstanding part, said parts of each transverse partition having a slot formed therein which terminates adjacent the top marginal end portion of the upstanding part of the partition, the longi- .14 tudinal partition being extended through the slots ln the'transverse partitions, the top marginal portions of the transverse partitions being disposed at the lower ends of said downwardly inclined notches to thereby engage said intermediate parts of the transverse partition with the bottom wall, the top marginal portions of the transversepartitions being retained in the notches of the longitudinal partition whereby the partitions are maintained in their proper positions and divide the carrier into separate bottle receiving compartments.

4. A bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and including, when erected, side,

end and bottom walls and longitudinal and transverse partitions, said partitions being connected with the bottom and end walls, respectively, the longitudinal partition being disposed substantially midway between the side walls and being extended between the end walls and having a notch formed in each end thereof, the transverse partitions each having a slot therein, a portion of each such slot being of restricted width and terminated adjacent the top marginal end portion of the partition and through which slots the longitudinal partition extends to be embraced by the edges of the restricted portions of the slots, the top marginal portions oi the transverse partitions being disposed and retained in the notches of the longitudinal partition, whereby the partitions are maintained in their proper positions and divide the carrier into separate bottl'e receiving compartments.

5. A bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and including, when erected, side, end and bottom walls and longitudinal and transverse partitions, said partitions being connected with the bottom and end walls, respectively, the longitudinal partition being disposed substantially midway between the side walls and being extended between the end walls and having a notch formed in each end thereof, said longitudinal partition including a part projected above the top edges of the side walls, said part having spaced openings therein to which a handle may be connected, the transverse partitions each having a slot therein which terminates adjacent the top marginal end portion thereof and through which slots the longitudinal partition extends, the top marginal portions of the transverse partitions being disposed and retained in the notches of the longitudinal partition, whereby the partitions are maintained in their proper positions and divide the carrier into separate bottle receiving compartments. A

6. A bottle carrier formed from cardboard or like material and including, when erected, side. end and bottom walls and longitudinal and transverse partitions, said partitions being connected with the bottom and end walls, respectively, the longitudinal partition being disposed substantially midway between the side walls and being extended between the end walls and having a notch formed in each end thereof, said 'longitudinal partition having a part unitary therewith and projected above the side walls of the carrier and having a hand opening near the upper end thereof laffording a handle for the carrier, the transverse partitions each having a slot therein which terminates adjacent the top marginal end portion thereof and through which slots the longitudinal partition extends, the top marginal portions of the transverse partitions being disposed and retained in the notches of the longitudinal partition, whereby the partitions are maintained REFERENCES CITED 5 The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 10 Number Agar July 9, 1935 Number 16 Name Date Bonileld May 8, 1928 Usinger July 2, 1935 Oman et a1 Oct. 11, 1932 Powell Dec. 12, 1944 Gordon` Sept. 1, 1942 Reaume Apr. 30, 1935 

